Rocker device



Feb. 2, 1960 A. K. STRAUSS ROCKER DEVICE Filed NOV. 10, 1958 F'IG.2

FIGJ

FIG. 5

INVENTOR, ALVIN K. STRAUSS F'IG.9

United States Patent ROCKER DEVICE Alvin K. Strauss, Memphis, Tenn.Application November 10, 1958, Serial No. 772,775 7 Claims. (Cl. 155-75)This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in rockerdevices, and particularly rocker devices of the general type and kindadapted for the amusement and entertainment of small children.

There have heretofore been many attempts to provide a wide variety ofkinds and types of rocker devices for use by children. Many of thesedevices have proven to be unsatisfactory in use on account of a lack ofinherent stability, and have additionally proven to be difficult ofstorage, and in View of a relatively inflexible arrangement andorganization of the parts of such prior devices, have proven ofrelatively short life, particularly since prior devices have lacked aninterchangeability or reversibility for enhancing the wear period duringwhich the device may be used.

The present invention contemplates the solution of the problems whichhave heretofore been encountered in this field, and in so doingcontemplates the provision of a rocker device which is supported uponmeans capable of substantially universal rocking motion, yet which areof a relative stability under such rocking so as to prevent accidentaloverturning of an undesired character.

The present invention further contemplates the utilization of rockermeans for supporting the device, to which a seat is detachablyconnected, with the seat and the rocker means cooperating for thesupport of the seat and the maintenance of the rocker means in desiredrocking position. The device further contemplates that the supportingmeans of the present invention may be collapsed in order to provide forthe storage of same in a relatively small space, with the seat beingdetachable therefrom, and further contemplates that the supporting meansas and when desired may be inverted in order to provide a new floor orground contacting set of surfaces.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new andnovel rocker device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rocker deviceincluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced rocker fins connectedto a central support and having a seat mounted thereupon.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in whichat least a part of the rocker fins are hingedly connected to the centralsupporting post in order that the hingedly connecting rocker fins may behingedly swung about the post to a collapsed position for storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in whichthe seat member is provided with brackets for engaging the hingedlyconnected rocker fins in order to maintain the same in properly extendedrocking position.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in whichthe seat member is detachably connected with the supporting post forready placement and removal therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device in whichthe rocker fins are provided with upper and lower substantiallyidentical rocker surfaces in order,

that the rocker fins may be inverted for the presentation 2,923,345-Patented Feb. 2, 1960 of new or different rocker surfaces to a floor orground support; and

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the design,construction and efi'iciency of rocker devices.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the presentinvention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment willbe readily understood from the following specification upon reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the rocker and post elements of theinvention in collapsed or folded position.

Fig. 5 is a separated view of a preferred embodiment of the foot-restmember of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the seat member.

Fig. 7 is a separated view of the bolt and nut means of the presentinvention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical fragmentary view on an enlarged scale taken as onthe line VIIIVIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary inverted sectional plan view on a furtherenlarged scale taken as on the line IX--IX of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals, the present device is rockably mounted upon a plurality ofrocker fins which are connected with a central supporting post 11.Preferably two of the fins, such as the fins 13, 15, are rigidly fixedto post 11, being inset therein in the preferred embodiment as bestshown in Fig. 9, and extend in diametrically opposite directions so thatthe fins 13, 15 are in longitudinal axial alinement. In the preferredusage of the invention such rigidly affixed fins, as the fins 13, 15,are to be disposed in fore and aft relationship, and in effect definethe fore and aft longitudinal center line of the device.

To one side of the center line of the device, and respec tively equallycircumferentially spaced from themselves and from the fins 13, 15, are apair of side fins 17, 19, and at the opposite side of the fins 13, 15,and also respectively circumferentially equally spaced from themselvesand from the fins 13, 15, are a second pair of side fins 21, 23. Each ofthe side fins 17, 19, 21, 23 is preferably hingedly secured to post 11,as by suitable hinge means 25, similar hinge means 25 being utilized forattaching each of the side fins to the post, in order that the side finsmay be swingably connected with the central post for movement to andfrom a collapsed or folded position, such as is shown in Fig. 4, fromand to an extended rocking position, such as is shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

Each of the fins 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, outwardly from post 11 is ofsubstantially identical shape and dimension,

' and it will be observed that in the extended rocking position, such asis shown in Fig. 3, each of the fins extends radially away from the post11 a substantially Each of the front, rear and side fins is providedwith opposed rocking surfaces 27, 29, these surfaces being respectivelycurvingly converging away from post 11, and at their outer ends beingjoined by a rounded end nortion 31. Thus the fins are respectivelyprovided with substantially uniformly curved rocking surfaces extendingaway from the upper and lower ends of the central post 11, so thatwhether the central post is positioned Y in one vertical position or anopposite inverted vertical position the rocking surfaces of the fins aspresented to a supporting surface, such as a floor or ground ,sur-- facenot shown, is substantially identical. As a result the rockingsupport,comprising the fins and central post, may be employed either in theupright position shown in the drawings or in an inverted position whichis of equal and substantially identical disposition.

At-its opposite ends post 11 is provided with recesses 33, 35 for theselective reception and housing of a nut 37 adapted for connection andengagement with an elongated bolt 39 for the attachment of a suitableseat 41 to post 11. As is apparent, bolt 39 is of a length in excess ofthe length of post 11 in order that it may extend above the post 11 forengagement into the seat 41 and to extend downwardly through a centralbore 43 in the post to the opposite recess for engagement by nut 37. Inorder to prevent undesired contact with the head of bolt 39seat 41 maybeprovidedwith an upwardly open recess 45. Preferably seat 41 is providedwith sides 47 and a back member 49, as well as with a handle 51.

Preferably one of the rocker fins, such as fin 13, is apertured toreceive a foot rest which is preferably a divided'foot rest 53, such asis shown in Fig. 5, and which is provided with divided portions, one ofwhich having an extending threaded male portion, and the other of whichhaving a receptive female socket (not shown), in order that the footrest may be extended through the fin member and threadedly engaged intothe position such as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In the preferred structure, seat 41 on its under side is provided withmeans for engaging the rocker fins in order rigidly to attach the finsto the seat against relative rotational or folding movement duringrocking use. Thus as shown in the present drawings, the means involve aplurality of clips 55 attached to the underside of seat 41 andcomprising pairs of angle members disposed with downwardly projectingflanges in relatively spaced apart position, the receptive clips eachcomprising a pair of the angle members being positioned about theunderside of seat 41 in circumferentially spaced apart relationship inorder to match with the circumferential spacing of the respective finsupon extension of the fins into the rocking position as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the clips 55 comprising a pair of angle members is so spacedapart as to closely and snugly embrace the uppermost edge of a finpresented thereto in order to hold the seat 41 in relative relationshipto the fins in extended rocking position, and at the same time to permitthe ready detachment of the seat from the rocking fins upondisconnection of the bolt 39 from post 11. In the preferred embodimentthere are clips 55 provided for the engagement with the rigidly fixedfins 13, 15, thus additionally fixing the seat against any relativerotation, and the further clips 55 each respectively engage one of theside fins 17, 19, 21, 23 in order to maintain the side fins in extendedrocking position.

It will be observed that when the side fins 17, 19, 21, 23 are extendedinto the rocking r unfolded position that the ends of each of these finsabuts against the periphery of post 11, as best shown in Fig. 9, thusproviding a firm abutment for the ends of the fins and limiting theoutward swinging movement of the fins about their hinge connections 25.

As readily can be seen, the device is one of very quick and readyassembly and also is of equally quick dissembly as for storage purposes.When the device is taken from storage, as for example as shown in Figs.4, 5, 6 and 7, the folded rocking fins in the position as shown in Fig.4 may be moved outwardly to a radially extending circumferentiallyspaced position such as that shown in Fig. 3. Seat 41 may be seated onthe selected upper end of the structure and bolt 39 extended downwardlythrough the opening in seat 41 into the bore 43 for engagement at thelower end by nut 37 inserted into one of 'the recesses such as therecess 33 in post 11. The head of bolt 39 will then be engaged with therecess 45 in seat 41, and at the time of the seating of seat 41 upon theupper end of post 11, the respective clips 55 are engaged over theuppermost edges of the fins 13, 15, 17, 19, 21,13. Thus when the boltand nut 37, 39 are tightened together through the bore or post 11 theseat 41 is drawn down tightly onto the uppermost portions of post 11 andof the rocker fins, thus in effect locking the seat in positionthereupon and providing a rocking device with a seat member thereon forthe reception of a user which is of an extremely stable nature in virtueof the substantially uniform rocking surfaces extending oncircumferentially equally spaced curving surfaces.

As the use of the device is continued over an extended period it isfound that the rocking surfaces will from use become worn, and thiswearing feature is particularly true if the rocking surfaces areprovided with a tread. which is not here shown, but which is oftendesirable for the purpose of covering the extreme edge of the rockerfins. Upon the occasion of the wearing of the rocking surfaces a simpleinversion of the unit may be accomplished by detaching the seat from itsattachment to the central post, inverting the rocker fins and post, andreplacing the seat together with its fin-engaging clips upon the nowuppermost portion of the post and fins, reengaging the seat therewith,and thus presenting to a supporting surface, such as a floor or othersurface, new and unworn rocker surfaces comprising the previouslyuppermost edges or the rocker fins.

Thus it will be seen that the present ,device comprises a rocker portioncomprising a post and plurality of fins connected therewith which may befolded for storage and which may be unfolded into substantially radiallyextending position for rocking use. A seat is provided which may bedetachably connected therewith and includes means for engaging theuppermost edges of the rocker fins above the surface-contacting rockerportions or edges, preferably in the form of clips here shown.Accordingly, the present device provides a new and novel rocker meanswhich is adapted for a substantial period of use,-

providing means for the inversion of the device for the presentation ofa new set of surfaces to a supporting surface such as a floor asheretofore described.

I claim:

1. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a

pair of fins at one side of said rigidly fixed fins, an addi-' tionalpair of fins at the other side of said rigidly fixed fins, said pairs offins being hingedly connected to said support for movement to and from afolded storage position in which said hinged fins extend alongside saidfixed fins from and to an extended rocker position in which said hingedfins extend outwardly from said sup-- port and said hinged fins and saidfixed fins are circumferentially equally spaced about said support withthe inner ends of said hinged fins abutting said support and limitingoutward hinged movement of said hinged fins,

a seat mounted on the uppermost end of said support and fins in saidextended rocker position, means detachably connecting said seat to saidsupport, the underside of said seat carrying clip means, said clip meansremovably embracing portions of the uppermost edges of said fins tolimit relative movement between said seat and said fins, each said finhaving opposite symmetrically curved edges adapted for rocking contactwith a supporting surface whereby said fins and support may be invertedupon detachment of said seat therefrom.

2. in a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins beingrigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a.

pair of fins at one side of said rigidly fixed fins, an

additional pair of fins at the other side of said rigidly,

fixed fins, said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said supportfor movement to and from a folded storage position in which said hingedfins extend alongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rockerposition in which said hinged fins extend outwardlyfrom said supg portand said hinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equallyspaced about said support, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of saidsupport and fins in said extended rocker position, a means detachablyconnecting said seat to said support, the underside of said seatcarrying clip means, said clip means removably embracing portions of theuppermost edges of said fins to limit relative movement between saidseat and said fins, each said fin having opposite symmetrically curvededges adapted for rocking contact with a supporting surface whereby saidfins and support may be inverted upon detachment of said seat therefrom.

3. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a pair of fins at one side of said rigidlyfixed fins, an additional pair of fins at the other side of said rigidlyfixed fins, said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said supportfor movement to and from a folded storage position in which said hingedfins extend alongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rockerposition in which said hinged fins extend outwardly from said supportand said hinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equallyspaced about said support with the inner ends of said hinged finsabutting said support and limiting outward hinged movement of saidhinged fins, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of said support andfins in said extended rocker position, means detachably connecting saidseat to said support, the underside of said seat carrying clip means,said clip means removably embracing portions of the uppermost edges ofsaid hinged fins to limit relative movement between said seat and saidhinged fins, each said fin having opposite symmetrically curved edgesadapted for rocking contact with a supporting surface whereby said finsand support may be inverted upon detachment of said seat therefrom.

4. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a pair of fins at one side of said rigidlyfixed fins, an additional pair of fins at the other side of said rigidlyfixed fins, said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said supportfor movement to and from a folded storage position in which said hingedfins extend alongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rockerposition in which said hinged fins extend outwardly from said supportand said hinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equallyspaced about said support with the inner ends of said hinged finsabutting said support and limiting outward hinged movement of saidhinged fins, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of said support andfins in said extended rocker position, means detachably connecting saidseat to said support, the underside of said seat carrying clip means,said clip means removably embracing portions of the uppermost edges ofsaid hinged fins to limit relative movement between said seat and saidhinged fins, each said fin having opposite curved edges adapted forrocking contact with a supporting surface whereby said fins and supportmay be inverted upon detachment of said seat therefrom.

5. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a pair of fins at one side of said rigidlyfixed fins, an

additional pair of fins at the other side of said rigdly fixed fins,said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said support for movementto and from a folded storage position in which said hinged fins extendalongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rocker position inwhich said hinged fins extend outwardly from said support and saidhinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equally spacedabout said support, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of said supportand fins in said extended rocker position, means detachably connectingsaid seat to said support, the underside of said seat carrying clipmeans, said clip means removably embracing portions of the uppermostedges of said hinged fins to limit relative movement between said seatand said hinged fins, each said fin having opposite curved edges adaptedfor rocking contact with a supporting surface whereby said fins andsupport may be inverted upon detachment of said seat therefrom.

6. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a pair of fins at one side of said rigidlyfixed fins, an aditional pair of fins at the other side of said rigidlyfixed fins, said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said supportfor movement to and from a folded storage position in which said hingedfins extend alongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rockerposition in which said hinged fins extend outwardly from said supportand said hinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equallyspaced about said support, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of saidsupport and fins in such extended rocker position, means detachablyconnecting said seat to said support, and means removably embracingportions of the edges of said hinged fins to limit relative movementbetween said fins, each said fin having opposite curved edges adaptedfor rocking contact with a supporting surface.

7. In a rocker device, an upright support, a fin, a second fin, saidfins being rigidly fixed to and projecting oppositely from said supportin longitudinal alinement, a pair of fins at one side of said rigidlyfixed fins, an additional pair of fins at the other side of said rigidlyfixed fins, said pairs of fins being hingedly connected to said supportfor movement to and from a folded storage position in which said hingedfins extend alongside said fixed fins from and to an extended rockerposition in which said hinged fins extend outwardly from said supportand said hinged fins and said fixed fins are circumferentially equallyspaced about said support, a seat mounted on the uppermost end of saidsupport and fins in such extended rocker position, means detachablyconnecting said seat to said support, and means removably embracingportions of the edges of said hinged fins to limit relative movementbetween said fins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS226,420 Reiche Apr. 13, 1880 584.529 Starcher June 15, 1897 924,809Maddox June 15, 1909 1,262,272 Sellner Apr. 9, 1918 1,782,763 OverbegNov. 25, 1930 2,434,748 Taylor Jan. 20, 1948

